The power of passion in derailing Sunday alcohol sales
by
K. Patrick Jensen
Georgia Online News Service
By K. Patrick Jensen
Georgia Online News Service
"On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, 'They have no more wine.' 'Dear woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied, 'My time has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.'
"They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, 'Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.'"
-- John 2:1-11 (New International Version)
This, the first recorded miracle of Jesus in the Bible, pretty much sums up the chances of passage this year of allowing local votes on Sunday alcohol sales in Georgia grocery and convenience stores.
The measure is not completely gone like wine at the wedding, but it appears that it would take a miracle of sorts for it to be resurrected after its sponsor removed it from consideration upon discovering it lacked the votes in a key Senate committee to make it to the floor where some believed it would pass.
Jesus balks at fulfilling Mary's request but, like a good son, acquiesces. Certain Georgia legislators would rather follow the belief systems of certain Georgia religious groups and liquor store owners not wanting the expense of being open on Sundays than allowing a local vote on the issue. Voting is a belief system used by representational government on many issues such as this.
The legislative non-action comes despite opinion polls that have shown public support for sales. Georgia is one of three states banning Sunday beer, wine and liquor sales although some bars and restaurants can sell it as can pro sports teams, such as the Braves.
House Regulated Industries Chairman Roger Williams (R-Dalton) said late last week his House version of the bill is on hold although there could be some attempt to revive it. Time is running out since crossover day – the deadline for legislation to go between both houses – is Thursday.
He said the Senate, where similar efforts were derailed the past three years, was expected to act first.
"I don't think we need to hang our guys out to dry if the Senate doesn't take the lead," he said.
Williams said he hadn't heard yet from religious right groups this year but did in previous sessions during testimony on Sunday sales.
"We've tried to keep the religious issue of it. There are so many other denominations who have Sabbath on days other than Sundays," he noted. "This is more of a fairness issue."
Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) blamed an "Old Testament mentality" and hinted at pressures from the religious right for halting his bill in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee.
Members of groups such as the Georgia Federation of Young Republicans Clubs and the Georgia Food Industry Association have said legislative non-support could be a campaign issue next year.
Jim Beck, head of the Georgia Christian Coalition Georgia Christian Coalition, views his group's win on the bill as a "David and Goliath story" since his group is unpaid and was going against financed lobbyists.
Beck has said his group will raise the issue during next year's elections. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, among Senate leader supporting the bill. is running for governor, and one of his possible primary opponents, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, opposed Sunday sales. Those supporting local votes on Sunday sales included Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) and Rules Chairman Don Balfour (R-Snellville).
Beck said Sunday sales finally stalled when lawmakers realized the "passion quotient" of conservative Christians who believe the bill would be another step eroding traditional values.
"It's an incrementalization to what we think is a tearing away of the family. We think there's no coincidence that societies crumble when families crumble."
He also echoed Gov. Perdue, who has in the past opposed the bill on public safety as well as faith grounds, that the legislature should try to do no harm when passing laws.
Legislators understand that while other groups may threaten to make Sunday alcohol sales an election issue, conservative Christians will act, Beck explains. "For people of faith, this issue of Sunday sales of alcohol is just a big deal" he noted.
At one time "blue laws" prevented Sunday sales of many products on the traditional Christian Sabbath.
"Clearly our forefathers in the religious movement lost the battle over Sunday," he said.
But that doesn't mean, today's followers should give up on allowing local votes on Sunday alcohol sales or similar issues.
"I think you see, and this is what lawmakers saw, this has a strong passion quotient. People of faith are really passionate about it."
He noted the decision on Sunday sales was a tough one for lawmakers since many supporters of allowing local votes on the issue are active in their faith, like Harp, a Methodist. "I think good people can disagree on this one," Beck said.
And, Beck is not ready to concede Sunday alcohol sales is dead this year. "A lot of money and smart people are on the other side," he observed "Anything is possible."
K. Patrick Jensen is a former editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution who writes about faith and suburban issues. [full bio]
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